The Farol das Baleias Project monitors the southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) on the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. This is a long-term survey conducted through land-based observations, drone-monitoring, photo-identification and onboard surveys. Morro do Farol, located in Torres (RS), Brazil, is the place where it all started in 2002 and which gives the project its name. The objectives are to assess the use of whale habitats, their fluctuations in occurrence, and to study their behavior and interaction with human activities.

The drone-monitoring allows the identification of each animal that visits our coast. Through aerial photos of the head of a right whale, it is possible to record the callosity pattern that is unique to each individual. Like a fingerprint, the photos allow us to record the history of each animal, its movements and use of the area. In addition, drones are used to study the behavior, body condition, diving and respiration, mainly of mother and calf pairs. By 2022, the Project had already cataloged 250 adult right whales!